Monday March 8 not only marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a day of global celebration and appreciation towards the economic, political and social achievements of women, but it is also the 100th anniversary of the holiday- a huge milestone for women everywhere.
IWD has been recognized since the early 1900’s when the oppression and inequality women faced was finally brought to the forefront by women themselves, who became more active and vocal in their call for change and equal rights.
In 1910 the second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen, where Clara Zetkin, the leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany proposed that every year in every country there should be a Women’s Day to both celebrate their achievements and voice for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries – representing unions, socialist parties, and working women’s clubs – agreed unanimously and International Women’s Day was born.
Each year, International Women’s Day chooses a theme to draw attention to issues that effect women. In the past, such topics have included ending violence against women and children, financing for gender equality and women in sports.
For International Women’s Day 2010, the focus is on equal “rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.” The International Commitee of the Red Cross is calling attention to the hardships of displaced women due to current armed conflicts. Many women around the world are displaced single parents, left to raise their children in severe poverty. Displaced women face discrimination, social exclusion and sexual violence, and the ICRC is calling for their protection.
But what can you do? The Interntional Women’s Day Web site encourages you to think globally, but act locally. Take your children to volunteer at a women’s shelter, donate supplies to local schools to ensure our daughters receive a proper education or sit down with your own daughter and make sure she knows that she can do, say and be anything she wants. Make sure she knows she can stand up for anything she believes in because there are women around the world who are not so fortunate and it is our responsibility as women to make sure that their voice is heard.
